KOLKATA — The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken serious note of the large number of police personnel deployed by West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police to provide personal security to Trinamool Congress leaders at various levels in the state.
The Commission has also flagged an allegedly biased approach in the selection of leaders for state-provided security cover, with ruling party leaders enjoying disproportionately high security, sources in the Commission said.
The ECI noted that before the announcement of the elections, the West Bengal government had deployed 2,185 police personnel to provide security to 832 persons belonging directly to the Trinamool Congress and 144 others, including supporters of the ruling party.
The Commission has taken serious note of the matter and directed the Director General of Police, Sidh Nath Gupta, to conduct a strict professional review within the next two to three days in a fair and equitable manner, the sources added.
Earlier in the day, the Commission had sought a status report from West Bengal Police on the implementation of its earlier order for the withdrawal of state-provided security cover for tainted political leaders with criminal records, irrespective of their political affiliations.
Earlier, the Commission had directed the withdrawal of state-provided security cover for leaders irrespective of political affiliation, including those out on bail or parole, those accused in criminal cases, and those with a criminal history.
The deadline for withdrawing such security cover was midnight on Thursday. The Commission also directed the withdrawal of security cover for leaders enjoying unauthorised state-provided protection despite not being entitled to it as per protocol.
The Commission issued similar directions regarding tainted political leaders against whom non-bailable arrest warrants are yet to be executed. In such cases, it directed that the warrants be implemented within a reasonable period. — IANS
